The Michael Franti & Spearhead to the musical line-up for this year’s festival.

Known for his efforts to spread positivity through music, Franti will open for GRAMMY award-winning band Little Big Town, closing out the festivities for the ninth annual event.

“We could not think of a better act to kick off our musical performances that close out an amazing few days celebrating the best of food, drink and community,” said Suni Unger, founder and CEO of Unger Media, the parent company behind Greenwich Wine + Food and Serendipity magazine.  “The combination of Michael’s inspirational and upbeat lyrics, coupled with the gorgeous stage set on the shore of the Long Island Sound with a glass of wine in hand, sounds like the perfect Saturday night in September to me!”

The main beneficiary of this year’s festival is Food Rescue US, a non-profit organization based in Connecticut, that is a leader in reducing both hunger and food waste in America.  Through its proprietary mobile app, Food Rescue US connects volunteers with companies that have excess food and organizations feeding the food insecure.  Now available in 12 states and the District of Columbia, this celebrated organization completed more than 25,000 rescues in 2018, equaling over 6.8 million meals delivered.  The Town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation Foundation is also a beneficiary for this year’s event.

“Food Rescue US is honored to be the beneficiary of the 2019 Greenwich Wine & Food Festival to further our mission of reducing food waste and hunger,” said Carol Shattuck, CEO of Food Rescue US. “There are important synergies between our organizations, and we look forward to working with the GWFF to showcase excellent food prepared by premier chefs while focusing on the importance of sustainability by reducing food waste.”

“After the GWFF, our team of volunteer food rescuers will ensure the unconsumed food will be delivered to Fairfield County social service agencies feeding the food insecure throughout the community. Also, we will also be on-site during the Festival to share how anyone can easily be part of our smart solution to reducing hunger and food waste using our proprietary app,” Shattuck added.

This year’s festival kicks off with an intimate Opening Night Master Chef Wine Gala on Friday, September 20, showcasing the culinary and music scene of New Orleans.

The evening, hosted by Gary Dell’Abate (Executive Producer of The Howard Stern Show “Baba Booey”) and Rob Burnett (Five-time Emmy Award-Winning Writer- Director), will honor this year’s class of Serendipity Most Innovative Chefs and feature their cuisine, as well as select Ambassador Chefs (names TBA).

The evening will include performances from GRAMMY award-winning Rebirth Brass Band and Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers.

The Culinary Village, the heart of the annual event, takes place on Saturday, September 21, and features the Grand Tasting Tent, where guests can enjoy tastings and demonstrations from more than 150 of the area’s finest food, wine and spirits experts, as well as areas devoted to the best in burgers, BBQ, tacos and more.  The 8^th Annual Burger Battle and 6^th Annual Top Bartender Showdown will also return, providing friendly competition between area restaurants and bars.  Guests will experience sommelier, mixologist and brew master presentations, celebrity book signings, cooking demos with Special Guest Chefs, a celebrity green room with live interviews, an exclusive Meet the Masters panel discussion, The Tailgate Party with The Ultimate Taco, Burgers & Beers, and Grill Masters & BBQ. VIP ticket holders will also be treated to an exceptional dinner, prepared by Festival Ambassador Chefs in a special waterside tented area.  Confirmed celebrity talent includes Emmy Award-winner Valerie Bertinelli (Food Network’s Valerie’s Home Cooking), Geoffrey Zakarian (Chef/Partner The Lambs Club at The Chatwal and Point Royal at The Diplomat Beach Resort, Co-Host of Food Network’s The Kitchen and Judge on Chopped), Margaret Zakarian (President of Zakarian Hospitality), Marc Murphy (Food Network’s Chopped), Jessica Tom (Food Network Star season 14 winner), David Rose (Food Network Star season 13 finalist) and caterer to the stars Mary Giuliani (Mary Giuliani Catering & Events).  Michael Franti & Spearhead and Little Big Town will close out the 2019 event with live musical performances on the Pepsi stage.

Tickets for the event are available via www.greenwichwineandfood.com or by calling 203.588.1363.  Ticket options include the All Weekend Pass ($700), Friday’s Opening Night Master Chef Wine Gala ($275), Saturday All Day Pass ($200) and Saturday VIP Pass ($500).  On-Stage and Lawn Dinner Tables are sold out, but to be added to the waitlist, please call 203-588-1363.

The Festival weekend will be held rain or shine, and anyone under 21, including infants or children in strollers, will not be admitted. Pets are also not permitted.

Greenwich Police were dispatched on June 15 around 5:00am  to a disable vehicle in the area of Davis Avenue and Bruce Park Avenue.

When police approached the vehicle, a 2013 Lincoln MKT, they observed a man sleeping inside.

Further investigation revealed that the car was not disabled and that the driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and that the vehicle’s engine was running.

Police made contact with the driver, later identified as Steven Ramirez, 30,of Lake St in White Plains, NY, who “was observed to be drooling, having glassy/bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from their breath.”

Ramirez was charged with DUI and has a date in Stamford Superior Court on June 24, 2019. After being processed and posting $250 bond, he was released to the care of his father.

Neighbor to Neighbor announced today that after nearly seven years of serving as its executive director, Nancy Coughlin is leaving to take another position effective June 20, 2019.

Coughlin began her tenure as executive director of the nonprofit food pantry and clothing room in 2012, just as the Great Recession ended. Since that time, the organization has added programs such as the annual Prom Project, holiday toy distribution, and backpack & school supply distribution. In the past year the organization expanded their summer meals program to include breakfasts, added a food delivery to families of New Lebanon School students and revamped the clothing program to greatly increase the amount of clothing received by local families.

“I am proud of all we have accomplished during my tenure,” Coughlin said. “Together with a strong board of directors, staff and volunteers, we have created access to nutritious food and good quality housewares and clothing for many thousands of local residents. I know the Greenwich community will ensure this momentum continues.”

Coughlin has accepted the position of CEO of Person to Person in Stamford/Darien/Norwalk starting next week.

Mary Beth Minton, a former long-time Greenwich resident with executive experience in both the corporate and non-profit sectors, has been appointed Interim Executive Director of Neighbor to Neighbor. A search for a permanent executive director will take place over the summer.

“We are grateful for Nancy’s thoughtful and committed leadership over the past seven years,” said Kip Burgweger, Neighbor to Neighbor’s Board President. “She will be greatly missed and we wish her all the best in her next endeavor.”

Neighbor to Neighbor creates access to nutritious food, in-season clothing, and household items to over 5,000 area residents in need. The organization provides healthy food options at no cost on a weekly basis for over 2,000 Greenwich residents, half of whom are children. Learn more at www.ntngreenwich.org.

The Innis Arden Cottage will be one of the focal points of the Experience the Sound event at Greenwich Point on June 23, 2019. The event is free and open to the public – no beach pass required. Photo: Leslie Yager

The Town of Greenwich Shellfish Commission is organizing the 13th annual “Experience the Sound” event at Greenwich Point on Sunday, June 23 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, with more participants than ever.

The family-friendly event is free and open to the public – no beach pass required. Children will also enjoy face painting from Faces by Wells.

The theme of the event is “From Streams Through Soil to Sea.”

At one end of Greenwich Point, at Innis Arden Cottage, the  Bruce Museum’s Seaside Center will be open for the season and volunteers will share information about a variety of sea creatures.

Plastic bag full of plastic bags, a thing of the past in Greenwich.

Outside Innis Arden Cottage a number of organizations will have tables set up, including BYOGreenwich, who worked to get Greenwich’s ordinance adopted to ban plastic bags in retail outlets. Also, their Reusable Carryout Bag Initiative encourages retail establishments to have reusable bags available for purchase.

Since Greenwich passed its plastic bag ordinance, many other towns in Connecticut have followed suit including Hamden, Mansfield, Middletown, New Britain, New Canaan, Norwalk and Stamford. Westport passed a plastic bag ban a decade ago.

Like BYO Greenwich, Skip the Straw  aims to increase awareness about the impact of single-use plastics and to protect ecosystems, the environment and the economy through community outreach and education.

Plastic waste enters rivers and the Long Island Sound, and litters our neighborhoods, choking economies, harming wildlife and impacting public health.   Skip the Straw Greenwich encourages residents and businesses to take simple steps to protect the beauty and health of these natural resources and stem the tide of litter and waste… one straw at a time.

Also look for volunteers from Audubon Greenwich, whose mission is to engage and educate people to conserve, restore, and enjoy nature—focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats.

Folks from Project Limulus are all about horseshoe Crabs! Project Limulus, run by Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, studies the Long Island Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) population. Everyone is invited to participate in the research by reporting sightings of tagged Horseshoe Crabs.

Archeologist Earnest Wiegand will demonstrate a number of historical artifacts found in the region. He is a Professor of Archeology, Geology and Sociology at Norwalk Community College, and his area of specialization is in northeastern prehistoric and historic archeology.

There will also be a table with representatives from UConn. Greenwich’s Shellfish Commission and Conservation Commission have a partnership with UConn in which researchers monitor Greenwich Cove, which is something of a laboratory in itself.

They seek to pinpoint sources of pollution, study underwater shellfish farms and look at the ways climate change is impacting Long Island Sound. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to preserve the health and beauty of Long Island Sound.

Calf Island Conservancy will be on hand to provide information about their programs and educational opportunities for summer fun. Calf Island is the largest offshore island in Greenwich and is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.

Another of the Shellfish Commission’s partners in conservation is the Friends of Greenwich Point who will have information about their projects including sand dune and habitat restoration, nature education, and preservation.

Free Shuttle Bus
Because the event spans the entire park, the Shellfish Commission has organized a free air conditioned shuttle bus from Innis Arden Cottage to the board-a-boat area near the Old Greenwich Yacht Club where people can tour Ed Stillwagon‘s Atlantic Clam Farms eco-friendly shellfishing barge.

The barge was built with cutting edge technology that improves the water quality and biodiversity of the Sound while collecting clams. Atlantic Clam Farms will supply oysters for the free raw bar from 1:00 to 4:00 (or while supplies last).

Stella Mar Oysters, will be also supply oysters to raw bar. Stella Mar Oysters farm contributes to a thriving ecosystem in Long Island Sound. As a direct result of their farm, essential habitat evolves for other species to live in.

✓ Stella Mar Oysters filter up to 50 gallons of water per day.

✓ For every oyster consumed from their farm, three more are created in the wild.

✓ Each oyster is touched over 20 times before being sent off to market.

Oysters from the free raw bar at the Experience the Sound event. Photo: Leslie Yager

Shucking oysters at the rawbar at the Experience the Sound event. Credit: Leslie Yager

Photo: Stella Mar Oysters website

Also stop by the Town of Greenwich Police Boat, which used by the Greenwich Police Marine section to provide law enforcement and emergency services on Greenwich’s 31 miles of coastline.

The Old Greenwich Yacht Club will also be open during the event. Membership in the family-oriented club is open to all Greenwich residents with an interest in boating, regardless of knowledge, ability or boat ownership.

Established in 1943, OGYC provides the opportunity for town residents to get out onto the water, whether by sail, power or paddle.  For a modest membership fee Greenwich residents can enjoy educational, cruise, race, and social events that enhance skills and promote fellowship among boaters. The foundation of OGYC is its 350 member families, their commitment to the Club and their volunteering spirit.

You’ll also want to meet JP Velotti of East Coast Kelp Farm. Kelp is a unique new crop harvested from Long Island Sound.

Though kelp won’t be showing up at farmers markets just yet, the long, frilly green-brown ribbons gathered by the boatload in Long Island Sound have the potential to fuel a locally grown edible seaweed market. Mr. Vellotti plants and harvests kelp in underground beds leased from the state. Kelp thrives in cold water, and is ready for harvest just as the summer boating season gets under way. Perfect timing for Experience the Sound!

Guests will also be able to tour the teaching vessel of Long Island Sound the schooner SoundWaters, which is a representation of a three-masted, 19th century sharpie schooner.

SoundWaters works with 146 schools and organizations across Long Island Sound.

On the schooner, Long Island Sound is both the classroom and playground for students who learn about both science and sailing.

The Astronomical Society of Greenwich will have free telescope demonstrations for solar observation, finding the crescent Moon, Venus, and perhaps even Jupiter in the daytime sky, and will be providing information about the ASG and ecological aspects of astronomy such as reducing light pollution.

Other participants include Trout Unlimited, who will be providing free fly casting lessons for adults and children. Trout Unlimited is a grassroots conservation organization dedicated to improving the ecological health of rivers and streams throughout the state. Their motto is, “If you take care of the fish, the fishing will take care of itself.”

These are just some of the 40+ groups participating in Experience the Sound 2019.

Some of the others include The Astronomical Society of Greenwich, Cos Cob Volunteer Fire Co,  The Emily Fedorko Foundation, Greenwich Conservation Advocates, Greenwich Green & Clean, Greenwich Historical Society, Greenwich Land Trust, Greenwich Point Conservancy, Greenwich Crew, Greenwich Community Sailing, Greenwich Community Gardens, Greenwich Tree Conservancy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Ski & Scuba Connection, The Sportsmen’s Den, Greenwich Harbor Management Commission, V-Sculls Rowing Club of Old Greenwich,

Working through the Department of Health the Shellfish Commission monitors the Town’s shellfish beds, and does water checks at 36 different points every six weeks, plus additional sampling after weather events, or pollution events. Samples are taken to the State Bureau of Aquaculture in Milford for analysis. The on-shore beds are open from mid-October to mid-May, the offshore beds are open year-round.

Microplastics and Long Island Sound

The Greenwich Shellfish Commission has been working with UConn to quantify the micro plastics in Long Island Sound and assess their impacts.

Plastic waste is accumulating rapidly in freshwater and marine environments
throughout the world, and urbanized watersheds, and Long Island Sound is particularly vulnerable.

When exposure to light and physical processes combine, plastics degrade into microplastics that become poisonous “biocides” in their own right and may attract other contaminants such as PCBs, pesticides, and heavy metals.

In phase 1 of their research, Greenwich waters were analyzed for presence if microplastics.

Microplastics were found to be pervasive in Greenwich Harbors (Cos Cob Harbor, Greenwich Cove, Greenwich Harbor, and Byram Harbor) with inorganic (metals) absorbed to a greater extent than were organic (pesticides and PCBs) contaminants.

These contaminants can potentially accumulate in shellfish such as oysters that filter large quantities of water daily.

Phase 2 will be to look at potential presence of microplastics in shellfish. They will break microplastics into different categories, determine sources of microplastic pollution and characterize their fate, including possible uptake by shellfish or deposition into sediments.

Phase 3 is to work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Greenwich Cove later this year to look at a healthy oyster bed and see how quickly and efficiently oysters remove nitrogen.

On June 15 around 10:30pm Greenwich Police responded to a motor vehicle accident with possible injuries on Round Hill Road.

A disabled 2018 Mazda CX5 was located in the area of 458 Round Hill Road. Police say the car appeared to have been in a recent accident. It was determined that the driver, Colin O’Toole 34, of New Haven displayed red glassy eyes and the odor associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

O’Toole was unable to perform field sobriety tests to standard. He was charged with Driving While Under Suspension, Failure to Maintain Lane and DUI.

His bond was set at $250 and he has a court date on June 24 in Stamford Superior Court.

The Greenwich Campership Program is in full swing and final preparations are underway for the first sessions of camp.

The Greenwich Department of Human Services sponsors this program, which awards scholarships to children ages 5-14 to local day camps and some sleep away camps in Connecticut, many of which offer discounts and save spaces for children
attending through our program.

The Greenwich Salvation Army also provides a generous allocation.

Presently there are 175 children registered to attend camp this summer. There are also 33 children remaining on the waiting list that are currently not funded.

Camp fees are paid for solely by community donations. The Campership organizers are extremely grateful for the donations received to date which will help fund the children who are registered.

Any additional contributions will also help the children who are waiting to be offered a camp session.

Campers can be sponsored at a rate of $400 for a two-week session or $525 for three weeks.

Any amount is gratefully accepted, with checks made out to The Greenwich Department of Human Services Fund, Inc. and sent to the Dept. of Human Services, Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road, Greenwich, CT 06830. Also, please visit the Fund’s website www.greenwichdhsfund.org where you can donate online!

For further information, please contact Alison Brush at 203-622-3715.

177 West Putnam Ave

177 West Putnam Ave from Seawatch Associates LLC (registered to Brian O’Connor and Marjorie M Rowe Revocable Trust)  to 177WPA, LLC (registered to Alexander Furevich) on June 17, 2019 for $5,150,000

According to Loopnet, the two story building is on .48 acre in the GB zone was built in 1953.

Row of mature Linden trees likely planted in the 1960s posted for removal at Hamilton Avenue School at the request of the Board of Education. June 20, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

This week, at request of the Board of Education, deputy tree warden Steve Gospodinoff posted two dozen trees for removal at Hamilton Avenue School.

He said if the school’s field improvement project changes raises the grade 18 inches the roots of the trees they will die. In fact he said that as little as 2” over the roots would kill the trees. “It shocks the trees and they’ll die,” he explained.

On Thursday Gospodinoff said the request to cut down the trees originated with the Board of Education about two weeks ago.

He said he was surprised to learn during a meeting with BOE staff including Facilities Director Dan Watson the field would be raised 18 inches and that that would kill the trees.

When the tree warden posts trees for removal, it doesn’t mean the trees will come down. The tree warden has the final say per statute.

“I will listen to both sides,” Gospodinoff said. “It’s an opportunity for everyone to speak up and weigh in.”

For at least a decade Chickahominy residents have complained about the field, saying it is not regulation size for sports competition, is full of ditches, doesn’t drain properly, and slopes from one end of the field to the other.

About $425,000 has been budgeted for the field improvement project.

Rows of mature Mature Linden trees posted for removal at Hamilton Avenue School. June 20, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

The trees posted include about a dozen Linden trees that Gospodinoff estimated are more than 50 years old.

“Back in the 1960s Linden trees were planted all throughout town,” he said adding that the trees posted include a 24″ Swamp White Oak which he recalled planting himself 25 years ago, and a big Pink Kousa Dogwood that is flowering today.

Mr. Gospodinoff said that after he posted the trees he received numerous complaints, triggering a hearing, which he will schedule for early July. (The precise date will be announced shortly.)

An email on Wednesday from The Greenwich Tree Conservancy to Gospodinoff and tree warden Greg Kramer objected to the removal of the trees.

The email said GTC has worked in partnership with the Town for over a decade to plant trees in Greenwich where they are most needed.

“The western part of town has been a major focus and we have tried to plant a higher percentage of trees there. Currently we are adding over 50 trees to the Byram community to keep with that mission,” the email said. “Removing trees at Hamilton Avenue School is antithetical to all we have been trying to accomplish. These trees should not have been posted.”

The email went on to say that the benefits of mature trees for growing children are well documented.

“Removing these mature trees should not be contemplated, the email said. “I am sure there is an appropriate plan for this playing field which would not include removing a natural resource which is so very beneficial to our school children. Since they have been posted please do schedule a hearing.”

On Friday June 21 Mr. Watson emailed a statement dated June 19 saying the 24 trees were identified by the design team of consultants Milone & MacBroom (a civil engineering and landscape architecture firm), as needing to be removed.

He said there had been no concerns expressed at earlier meetings when the project first went public.

“In order to achieve the proposed end result of a ‘flatter field,’ the fill material to be brought onto the site in order to make the field more level, would cover the base of the trees, thereby limiting their capacity to absorb water, oxygen and other elements and resulting in serious dieback or death. The plan is to remove the trees, level the field and then plant new trees.”

Mr. Watson said the process the project has gone through is typical with projects that require certain regulatory approvals and this is no exception.

Another setback confronting the Hamilton Avenue School field project stems from the inclusion of a 2,000 square feet paved play area next to the basketball court.

Watson said the Planning & Zoning commission determined that that much impervious surface exceeded  Town Drainage Manual standards, and an underground infiltration system would be required.

That led to the need for additional design and test pits to determine if the existing subsurface conditions would allow for the system.

“The results proved that the infiltration was not feasible and a redesign was needed,” Watson said, adding that P&Z suggested a waiver request be submitted as the entire site may not be supportive of a retention system.

“As the test results were not available until late April the time allowed for P&Z permit application had expired and we are now, unfortunately, forced to restart the permitting process,” Watson said. “M&M representatives are working diligently on this issue and we hope to have answers in place soon.”

Watson said the next steps are:
• M&M to complete environmental review of soils – week of 24 June
• Public Hearing on Tree Removal – (if required) – date to be determined?
• M&M to progress the refiling application with P&Z – date to be determined
• M&M to complete documents for Public Bid – week of 8 July
• BOE to release documents to begin bid process– week of 8 July

Close up of flowering Linden tree at Hamilton Avenue School. June 20, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Mature Linden tree posted for removal at Hamilton Avenue School. June 20, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Mature hardwood tree at the foot of the sloping playing field with Hamilton Avenue School in background. June 20, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

On Thursday it appeared someone had ripped off one of the notices on a tree posted for removal at Hamilton Avenue School’s field. June 20, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

On Thursday it appeared someone had ripped off one of the notices on a tree posted for removal at Hamilton Avenue School’s field. June 20, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Tree in foreground and rows of Linden Trees in background are noticed for removal at Hamilton Avenue School’s field.  In the distance is St Roch Church. June 20, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

From the CT Better Business Bureau:

• Figure out what you want to do. Are you a foodie looking to discover a new restaurant or are you looking for a relaxing spa getaway? Do you want to stay in your area or explore other cities and towns? Browse a variety of activities, experiences and destinations at CTvisit.com.
• Make a budget. Determine how much you are able to spend. Staying closer to home may allow you to optimize your budget since you don’t have other added travel expenses.
• Search online. So much can be found online including local festivals, restaurant weeks, free events or even a place that you never knew existed. You can also check social media geotags to see where popular destinations are plus see photos from past travelers. Check out #CTvisit for inspiration.
• Look for discounts. Traveling local may already seem like a money saver but there are sometimes extra discounts or packages available for families, couples, military or general travelers. You can check CTvisit.com/deals for current discounts on local travel destinations.
• Check reviews. Read customer reviews and search BBB.org/ct for information on a local attraction, restaurant or business before you visit. Know the cancellation policy if you book an excursion or activity especially if you have to reserve with a credit card.

Edgar J. Mueller

Edgar Joseph Mueller, 85, of Riverside passed away peacefully with the comfort of family by his side on June 22, 2019.

Edgar was born and raised in Ahausen, Germany. His professional interest was baking, and in 1958 he earned his “Baeckermeister” title in Mannheim, Germany.

He migrated to the United States in 1961, and married Louise Maria Gut in January 1964. They settled in Riverside since 1972, raising 2 boys, Roland and Herbert.

In 1982 he and Louise founded the Black Forest Pastry Shop in Greenwich, which remains under family ownership and a fixture in the Greenwich community.

After retiring from the pastry shop for health reasons, he enjoyed working at their Round Hill Road property. He planted a fruit tree orchard, and together with his wife, vegetable gardens and beautiful flower patches on this historic property which was donated to the Greenwich Land Trust to preserve the 100 year old farmhouse and historic barns for later generations.

He was adored by all who knew him for his sense of humor and calm demeanor. Above all he was a fantastic listener and passionate fan of the New York Rangers.

Edgar is also survived by two brothers Bruno and Fritz, a sister Maria, and cousin Sofie. He is the loving grandfather of three grandchildren and his favorite playmate “Mugsy” (a rescued White American Staffordshire Terrier). Mugsy’s companionship comforted Edgar in recent years to fight his various health ailments.

To honor his life, family will receive friends at Coxe and Graziano Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich on Tuesday June 25 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday 26 June at St. Catherine’s of Siena Church, 4 Riverside Ave, Riverside CT. followed by a burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Dr. Eric Brown and his other doctors for their many years of excellent care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.

For more information or to place an online condolence: www.coxeandgraziano.com

Emma Santilli was with her dad Jeff at the Bruce Museum Seaside Center as she touched a crab. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

On Sunday Greenwich Point was the destination for thousands of people who cherish Long Island Sound.

The Experience the Sound event drew curious people eager to learn about the marine life they share the waters with, including horseshoe crabs, oysters and clams. They also learned about conservation efforts and partnerships with non profits and schools.

At one end of the park, tables were set up with local organizations who play a role in ecosystem, dovetailing with the event’s theme: “From Streams, through Soil to Sea.”

Inside the Bruce Museum’s Seaside Center children witnessed fish and crabs up close, and even touched them under the safe supervision of naturalists and volunteers.

Rising third graders at Julian Curtiss School Kentaro Abe and Rocco Giulli added their suggestion to the display, “Clean up the Ocean and Pick up Your Trash.” Photo: Leslie Yager

Green & Clean and Skip the Straw, the group that emerged after BYO Greenwich successfully advocated for Greenwich’s plastic bag ordinance, had a presence, educating the public about the impacts on Long Island Sound from pollution from everything from plastic straws to cigarette butts.

Julie DesChamps from Skip the Straw said the approximate time a single straw is used is 30 minutes, but the average time a straw stays on Planet Earth is 90 years. She said a stainless steel straw can be reused thousands of times.

Fun Fact: The number of fast food meals served per day in the US is 50,000,000, which adds up to a lot of plastic straws.

“The kids are getting a glimpse today of what is living in Long Island Sound,” said Kate Dzikiewicz, the Bruce Museum Seaside Center manager. “Right now the common species are Silver Sides and Striped Killi Fish, but it will change over the summer. Later there will be Tautaug, Porgies, Puffer Fish and Flounder.”

Dzikiewicz said every day staff at the Bruce Museum Seaside Center pick up litter including cigarette butts and e-cigarette pods.

“People don’t realize the cigarette butts don’t biodegrade. There is plastic in the filter,” she said. “Pollution like styrofoam can float around in the ocean a million years before it degrades. That’s longer than the human species has been in existence.”

Another beach pet peeve of Dzikiewicz is that people just can’t keep their hands off the horseshoe crabs.

“People should watch out because it is horsehoe crab breeding season. If you see two linked together on the beach, leave them alone. They know what they’re doing. Don’t harass them. Instead come here to touch one,” she said of the Seaside Center, which is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

The Old Greenwich Garden Club shared information on native plants and ways to attract pollinators. The volunteers beautify many areas in Town and run an annual plant sale at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. They are also responsible for a butterfly garden on the footprint of the original Tod mansion where they plant pollinators and native species.

Roger Bowgen, chair of the Greenwich Shellfish Commission, said he was excited about a partnership with UConn that will result in globally recognized research at Greenwich Point. Specifically the park will be linked by computer to UConn Avery Point as well as UConn at Stamford and Storrs, and Greenwich will have access to the best scientific marine minds.

“When questions are asked here that we don’t know the answer to, we will have that access,” he explained, adding that on Mondays there will be a series of classes organized by the shellfish commission and the Billion Oyster Project (BOP).

Workers from Stella Mar Oysters aboard the Paige Lane oyster barge at Experience the Sound. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

“The idea is to expand the link with BOP who are trying to produce a billion oysters in the Hudson River, clean it up and educate students,” said shellfish commission volunteer Christoper Coccaro, who described oysters as the baseline of the entire eco-system. “Oysters were the nursery that all things grew from. A lot dependent on them.”

Coccaro said that in the future they hope to bring students from New York City’s special trade school, New York Harbor School, to Greenwich. The public school is unique in that students from New York City’s five boroughs commute by ferry to school on Governor’s Island.

“It is a harbor-based school,” Coccaro continued. “The point is to provide job training to New York public school students for aquaculture and seamanship.”

Coccaro said New York Harbor has improved and the fish have returned, but as far as oysters it is “dead.” He said at one point oysters in the harbor had been up to a foot long.

“The fish are back, but not the basic bio-systems. Oysters used to be abundant. New York harbor was incredibly productive largely because of the oysters.”

The BOP physically place oysters on reefs in hopes they become self sustaining. They hope through their efforts there will be a billion oysters by the year 2025.

Mr. Bowgen said Greenwich is working with commercial fishermen and have added between five million to 3 million oysters to Greenwich waters in the last 30 years.

Guests sampled kelp and potatoes at Experience the Sound. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

A bowl full of sauteed kelp at Experience the Sound. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

At the other end of the park, guests sampled dishes made with kelp. The effort was run by professors and chefs from both UCONN and Norwalk Community College.

From kelp and potato sauté, to kelp salsa and kelp quesadillas, guests enjoyed a variety of kelp cuisine, and learned how kelp is grown and harvested.

Chef Jeff Trambetta, an instructor at Norwalk Community College and certified processor by the FDA and the Connecticut Consumer Protection, said Kelp tastes similar to collard greens.

Trambetta said the East Coast Kelp Farm in Groton is located at the mouth of the Thames River and is a certified processor through the CT Dept of Consumer Protection. “I could sell it but I run it for education,” he said of the kelp. I have my own recipes. My job is to teach and train chefs and consumers that you can eat kelp.”

At Old Greenwich Yacht Club, reached by shuttle bus, guests were also able to learn about oyster farming from Stella Mar Oysters who were there on their oyster barge, the Paige Lane.

The company boasts the East Coast’s finest deep-water oyster. Their off-bottom, vertical grow-out method gives their oysters an ideal habitat in  in 20 to 40 ft of water in Long Island Sound. The barge sifts through oysters and the small ones are returned to the water.

Tyler Scott had his face painted Wells Noonan of Faces by Wells. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Chair of the Greenwich Shellfish Commission Roger Bowgen and State Rep Steve Meskers. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Kids enjoyed the activities in the Bruce Museum Seaside Center during the Experience the Sound event. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Lynn Willow Gulli and India Sullivan, both 9, enjoy the sun at Greenwich Point. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

State Rep Livvy Floren visits Mary Hull, the director of Greenwich Green & Clean. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

A powerful display of balls collected during a recent beach cleanup at Greenwich Point reminds park visitors to help keep the beach clean. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Julie DesChamps from Skip the Straw with evidence of the pollution caused by plastic straws and bottlecaps. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Martina Doshan of the Old Greenwich Garden Club shared information about gardening with plants that produce nectar to attract pollinators. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Members of the Old Greenwich Garden Club Barbara Norrgard, Kelly Forsberg (president), Betsie Hawkins and Wendy Yu. The club beautifies several locations in Greenwich including the butterfly garden along Eagle Pond, on what was once the lawn of the original Tod stone mansion. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

A reminder that plastic straws make their way to Long Island Sound and impact marine life negatively. Photo: Leslie Yager

Maggie and Evie Reid had their faces painted by Wells Noonan at Experience the Sound at Greenwich Point. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Stella Mar Oysters’ barge at Experience the Sound at Greenwich Point. June 23, 2019. Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich Harbor Master Ian MacMillan and Pierrette Wagner at Experience the Sound. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

After hopping off the shuttle bus, guests were treated to lemonade followed by samples from the free raw bar and a chance to sample kelp at the Old Greenwich Yacht Club during the Experience the Sound event. June 23, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

On Monday morning Greenwich Police Chief Heavey was on WGCH radio talking about safety issues in Town when he described two incidents over the weekend involving boats hitting the rocks at Jake’s Reef, which is at the south end of the Mianus River near Bluff Island.

The first, a sailboat was exiting the river with two people onboard when they became entangled with the rocks.

Then, on Sunday a power boat also ended up on Jake’s Reef.

Chief Heavey said marine officers Sean Fox and Joseph Turcsanyi plucked two people from the water after the boat flipped. The heavily damaged power boat, which had New York registration numbers, was to be removed by Sea Tow on Monday.

Greenwich Harbor Master Ian MacMillan said though Saturday was a beautiful day, it was windy, with an average of 20 knots and wind gusts to 35 knots mostly from the north, northwest.

Chief Heavey urged boaters not to rely on markers. “Be mindful,” he said. “Look at your charts and GPS. Not everything is marked.”

Heavey said while the power boat is headed to salvage, the sailboat was able to leave on its own power.

Still, he said they suffered embarrassment. “They had to sit there for 12 hours and wait for the tide to change.”

See also:

PHOTOS: Oysters, Crabs, Kelp and Kids Abound at Experience the Sound 2019

On Monday US Rep Democrat Jim Himes, from Greenwich, became the latest Democrat to call for the launch of impeachment proceedings against  President Donald Trump.

Himes’s announcement makes him one of more than 70 Democrats to come out in support of an impeachment inquiry, breaking ranks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) who remains resistant to the idea.

Five other members of the House Intelligence panel have also come out in support of an inquiry.

“My motive today is not to pressure the speaker of the House, whose leadership in this Congress has been superb,” Himes said in his speech. “She leads us today in the epic mission of defending our democracy. That mission requires a vigorous debate and competing ideas, but it also requires care, discipline and a measure of deference.”

Himes, a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, is the only member of the Connecticut congressional delegation to publicly call for impeachment proceedings.

“From the moment of his inauguration, this President has shown contempt for the truth, has attacked our institutions, and has ignored the Constitution he swore to defend,” Himes said. “He has refused the oversight which is Congress’ long-established right and duty. In recent weeks, he has refused to comply with subpoenas, he has ordered administration officials to refuse to testify, and he has asserted executive privilege of unprecedented scope with respect to attempts to alter the census.”

In a Tweet on Monday Himes said, “Pending an impeachment inquiry is not removal of the President. Given the behavior of the Senate, that outcome is probably out of the question.”

The American people should understand that opening an impeachment inquiry is not removal of the President. Given the behavior of the Senate, that outcome is probably out of the question. /9

— Jim Himes (@jahimes) June 24, 2019

He also Tweeted, “There are moments for careful calculation, weighing political expediency & conflicting interests. And there moments for clarity and conviction. This is that moment.”

Today I called for the House to begin an impeachment inquiry into President Trump because there are moments for careful calculation, weighing political expediency & conflicting interests. And there moments for clarity and conviction. This is that moment. https://t.co/5aIv9hQSGZ

— Jim Himes (@jahimes) June 24, 2019

The OGRCC Boys Rugby U14s team is headed to Nationals in Richmond, Virginia at the end of June after an outstanding season in the Fairfield County league, going undefeated in the regular season and in the Fairfield County championship tournament.

While they found out late about Nationals, 22 of the 28 players on the team are planning to go to the tournament to compete and keep their winning streak.

Officially established in 2003, the boys rugby team has excelled at the local and state level, and this year, after beginning their training in March, the team has played 8 matches, where they went undefeated with a combined score of about 330 points for and 35 points against, according to Coach James, one of the five coaches of the OGRCC Rugby team. In the Fairfield County championship tournament, the boys also had an impeccable record, with roughly 95 points for and 14 against.

Coaches Saleem Begg, James Dailey, Dan Rosa, and Mariano Lozano. (Not pictured: Jeff Murphy). Photo: Melanie Leguizamon

Composed of kids from Rye, Stamford, the French Academy, and other schools in the area, the U14 team has aided in making the rugby association in Greenwich become massive, feeding into the Greenwich High School team, which finished in the top 10 in the country again this year, as well as the Greenwich adult men’s team, which made it to the playoffs in the fall after only their third ever competitive season.

“About half of our guys are going to the high school next year,” Coach James mentioned. “So that’s a nice influx of talent for the team.”

With over 300 families connected to rugby in Greenwich, including 150-200 kids that are involved in the youth program of U6 to U14 teams, Greenwich Rugby has served as a multi-generational program that continues to bring together the Greenwich community.

In getting prepped for the National tournament, the boys on the U14 team, all in their middle school years, worked together off the field to fundraise (through bake sales, a 50/50 raffle, and more) about $3,000 for their upcoming trip.

Not only do the boys unite to work hard off the field, but they also put their all into practice on the field.

Boys U14s Greenwich rugby team training for Nationals. Photo: Melanie Leguizamon

“As a coach, something that blows me away is that I don’t really have to run their warm-up anymore; they just take care of it themselves,” Coach James emphasized. “I’m just really lucky.”

Captains Benjamin Thompson (left) and Segundo Más (right). Photo: Leguizamon

The team’s two captains, Segundo Más, who has been on the team for the past four years, and Benjamin Thompson, who has been on the team for the past two, are also extremely proud of how far their team has come.

“I think it’s a great team. We all work together well, and we all get along,” Ben said.

When talking about his team’s journey to Nationals, he added, “It caught us as a surprise because when we started this season, we weren’t supposed to go.” But now, with all the work they have put in, Segundo said, “We have a good chance.”

Boys U14s Greenwich rugby team doing drills in anticipation for Nationals.

“Nationals will give us a challenge and we will get to work as a team,” Ben stressed. His older brother, Santi Thompson, has also played a large role in the Greenwich rugby community, and is currently playing for the Greenwich High School rugby team.

Santi, along with his teammate Andrew Nanai, has recently been invited to be a part of the USA High School All-American Team to compete against the Canadian U18 team this July in British Columbia, and they have created a GoFundMe account to help pay for the expenses of their trip.

Below is the link to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/andrew-nanai-and-santi-thompson-allamerican-tour

Here’s to wishing the U14 team luck at Nationals and to continuing the growth of the extremely promising rugby association in Greenwich. What a year it has been!

See also:

GHS JV Rugby Coach Laczkowski Reflects on His Winning Team by Mitch Grimes, GHS class of 2019

The Greenwich Public Schools announces its participation in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

This year, the program is offered at Glenville School and is available to all students attending summer school at Glenville School.

According to endhungerct.org, summer meals are free, nutritious meals and snacks that are provided to kids and teens, 18 years of age and younger throughout the summer when school is out. Summer meals meet federal nutrition guidelines and are comprised of milk, fruits, vegetables, grains and meat or another protein.

To locate an open site in your area, please call 203-625-7499 for more information.

The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. According to the website, “It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.”

The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.

About 7.1 million children participated in the NSLP in its first year.

Since then, the program has reached millions of children nationwide: 1970: 22.4 million children; 1980: 26.6 million children; 1990: 21.1 million children; 2000: 27.3 million children; 2010: 31.8 million children; and 2016: 30.4 million children.

On June 20 around 4:15am Greenwich Police spotted a car traveling in excess of the 30mph speed limit.

The vehicle was observed crossing the double yellow line on Indian Field Road.

After initiating a motor vehicle stop, police say the driver appeared to be impaired.

Field sobriety tests were given and the driver, John A Ewen, 48, of Loughlin Ave in Cos Cob was determined to be under the influence of alcohol.

Ewen was arrested and charged with DWI, Traveling Unreasonably Fast, and Failure to Maintain Lane.

He ws released on a $250 bond and has a court date in Stamford Superior Court on July 3, 2019.

Greenwich Police are hosting two law enforcement programs – one for middle schoolers and one for high schoolers.

Law Enforcement Exploring is a hands-on program open to young men and women who have completed 6th grade through age 20 who are interested in a career in law enforcement or a related field in the criminal justice system.

The program offers a personal awareness of the criminal justice system through training, practical experiences, competition and other activities.

Additionally, the program promotes personal growth through character development, respect for the rule of law, physical fitness, good citizenship and patriotism.

The Greenwich Police Dept supports two explorer programs for youth.

Law Enforcement Explorer Post #45 provides high school students with activities throughout the year.Some of the additional opportunities the cadets may participate in include the Cadet Police Academy, National Police Explorer Conference and Connecticut Police Cadet Stations Day.

For middle school students the Greenwich Police Youth Citizens Police Academy is a week long program offered each June.

In its fifth year the Youth Citizens Police Academy allows participants to experience some of the challenge that go into police training.

Physical fitness, forensics and marine enforcement are just a few of the activities offered.

For more information on Greenwich Police Explorer programs contact Sgt John Thorme at (230) 622-3660.

The CT Dept of Transportation will do night time bridge maintenanceon I-95 NB & SB in Greenwich, beginning Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

The project consists of concrete header repairs to the I-95 NB & SB Bridge #00014 over Metro North and Bridge #06015 over Mianus River and local roads in Greenwich.  This project is scheduled to occur the evening of Wednesday, June 26, 2019 to the morning of Friday, July 26, 2019.

The work is included in the Department of Transportation’s 2019 bridge maintenance program to support state forces with bridge repairs and is being performed by Hammonasset Construction.

LANE CLOSURES

Motorists can expect lane closures on I-95 NB & SB between Exit 3 (Arch Street) and Exit 5 (Rte. 1/Riverside, Old Greenwich) in Greenwich. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The regular work schedule for this project is from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (Monday through Thursday evenings).

No lane closures will occur from 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3^rd, 2019 until 8:00 p.m. Monday, July 8^th, 2019.   

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions.  Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.

On Sunday Greenwich Police were dispatched to a parking lot at 161 West Putnam Ave for a welfare check of a subject.

Police made contact with the subject, Jesse Hartman Tenney, 51, of N Water Street in Norwalk, who admitted to having stolen several items from a grocery store at that address and an additional market in the area.

He was charged with Larceny 6 and has a date in Stamford Superior Court on July 8, 2019. He was released on a promise to appear.